How does it work?
You order, then send me your photograph. I'll look at it and tell you which style suits it best before anything is engraved. If it isn't going to work, I'll say so and we'll sort it out between us.

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What sort of photo do I need to send?
A phone photo is usually fine — the last piece on my About page came straight from Instagram. What matters is that it's sharp and reasonably well lit. The bigger the file the better, so send the original rather than a screenshot.

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Where should I put it?
Slate reads best with light falling across it. A lamp to one side, a mantelpiece, a picture light, somewhere near a window — anywhere the light catches at an angle and the engraving lights up. Flat overhead light or a dim corner will make it look duller than it is, so it's worth trying a few spots before you settle on one.

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Can you work from an old photograph?
Yes. Old prints and faded photos have a narrower range of light and shade, so they're engraved as line-work art rather than a photographic image. It suits them better and gives a lovely result. I'll tell you which route your photo is going down before I start.

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Will they still look like themselves?

Yes. The face, the expression, the way they held themselves — that's theirs and I don't change it. What I do change is around them. If the brief is your dog with the toy she never let go of, or your mother in the chair she always sat in, I'll build that setting so the piece says what you want it to say. If you'd rather just have them as they are in the photograph, that's exactly what you'll get. Either way you'll see the finished image before anything is engraved, so nothing is a surprise.

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Can you do pets?
Yes, plenty of them. Pets work beautifully, especially on slate.

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Can you add words as well?
Yes — a name, a date, a short quote. There's a box at checkout for it. Keep it brief; there's only so much room before it starts competing with the picture.

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What's the difference between wood and slate?
Birch is warm and the grain runs through the image, becoming part of it. Every wooden piece is hand-finished with Danish oil that soaks in and protects from within. Welsh slate is dark and naturally riven, so the engraving sits pale against the stone and no two surfaces are the same.

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How long will it take?
Estimation time is a week, to a week and a half, sometimes quicker, dependent on work load. You are informed all the way through.

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Do you deliver? / Do you ship internationally?
Yes I deliver with Royal Mail. Unfortunately I am not doing international orders at this time.

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Can I see it before it's engraved?
Yes. I'll send you the prepared image and you can tell me if you're happy before anything goes into the machine.

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Do I need to own the photograph?
You need to own it or have permission to use it. Wedding and professional photographs usually belong to the photographer, so it's worth checking with them first.

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Will you put my piece on your website?
Only if you say yes. There's a question at checkout and it's entirely up to you — saying no makes no difference to your order.

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How do I look after it?
Wipe with a soft dry cloth. Nothing abrasive and no household cleaners.

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Can I order more than one?
Yes — people often want a set for family. Get in touch if you're after several and we'll sort it out.